2015 Chicago Take Steps for Crohn's and Colitis

Chicago, Take Steps to Find a Cure!

Take Steps for Crohn’s & Colitis is CCFA’s largest fundraising event having touched over 240,000 people and raised nearly $60M to help further the Foundation’s mission.

Our Take Steps walks offer a wonderful day for family, friends and the community to celebrate all of the efforts that have been put forth in raising funds towards our mission. Our walk events are filled with live music, food, kids’ entertainment, educational materials, and, of course, wonderful exposure for our corporate partners. In 2014, more than 70,000 people joined us nationwide, helping us raise $11M.

82 cents of every dollar raised goes towards breakthrough research, public and professional education, and patient support services in communities across the nation.

Register today. Join thousands of others in the fight against digestive diseases.

PLANNING COMMITTEE

Your help is needed...A lot of work goes into making a successful Walk and volunteers make the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) Take Steps Walks happen. We are creating a Planning Committee for the 2015 Chicago Take Steps for Crohn's & Colitis Walk and we would love for you to be part of this incredible opportunity. Please email or call me if you would like to be on the Planning Committee or need more information at (773) 616-6381 or hmerritt@ccfa.org.

LEADING THE PACK...

Take Steps spreads awareness about IBD throughout our community while raising crucial funds to fuel the mission critical research, education and support services of CCFA. As we continue to strive to surpass our local fundraising goal of $125,000, many of you have been hard leading our efforts through your team and individual fundraising!

We invite you to join us in providing hope, inspiring action and finding cures by becoming a Take Steps MVP.

Be an Awareness Builder by raising $100 or more and receive a commemorative Take Steps t-shirt.

Raise $1,000 or more to become a Hope Giver. Join the club that is funding cures today and you will receive special recognition for your tremendous impact!

Working together as a team, you can become a Cures Believer when you reach top team status in your site.

Congratulations to our current Top Fundraising Teams:

University of Chicago - Team Captain is Dr. Stacy Kahn

LoveLaila - Team Captains are Sharifa Townsend and Steven Philpott

Global Guts - Team Captain is Stacey Laskin

Noah's Pride - Team Captain is Jessica Seiler

Andi's Team - Team Captain is Andrea Nowakowski

Congratulations to our current Top Fundraising Individuals:

Dr. Stacy Kahn from the University of Chicago Team

Andrea Nowakowski from Andi's Team

FUNDRAISING BASICS

Here are a few proven tips to help you have a rewarding and successful walk experience with your team!

Step 1: Set a realistic and meaningful goal for your team. There is no cost to register and no fundraising minimum. It is up to you to set a personally meaningful and significant goal for you and your team. Communicate that goal to your team members and work together to achieve it dividing the goal among each other.

Step 2: Write Personal Fundraising Letters & Emails. Compose a passionate and individualized letter about why you are walking and how people can support your fundraising efforts.

Step 3: Recruit Participants. Ask your friends, neighbors, family members and co-workers to join your team and help you to spread awareness and reach your team’s fundraising goal through their contacts.

Step 4: Raise Money. The national fundraising average per person is $250 encourage your each of your of your team members to beat the national average. Approach the businesses you frequent, or even better, ask your own company. Lead by example, by making the first donation your own.

Step 5: Create Excitement. Design a team t-shirt or a unique team name, post flyers in your neighborhood, and share information on social media.

Step 6: Celebrate Your Team’s Success. Attend the Walk. Take a team photo. Eat, drink and celebrate raising funds to find cures for Crohn's and colitis!

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Have you collected donations that need to be applied to your fundraising page?